How Multiple Sclerosis can cause Erectile Dysfunction

Information and facts about how Multiple Sclerosis can result in erectile dysfunction .

So what is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis, also referred to as MS, is an inflammatory disease of the Central Nervous System (the brain and the spinal cord). It most commonly affects the "white matter" tissue. White matter is made up of nerve fibres which are responsible for transmitting signals both internally within the CNS and between the CNS and the nerves supplying rest of the body.

In individuals affected by MS, patches of damage known as plaques or lesions appear in areas of the CNS white matter. At the site of a lesion myelin (a nerve insulating material) is lost. Clinically, MS is a hard condition to characterise because it is very unpredictable and variable. Depending on which areas of the CNS are affected and how badly they are damaged, the type and severity of symptoms can vary greatly.

How does it cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Since multiple sclerosis affects nerves (it is a deteriorating condition), chances are that in some individuals it can affect the nerves which supply the penis (the Pudendal nerve) and surrounding area. The Process of achieving an erection is a very complex one involving multiple inputs from various areas of the brain and the nervous system (spinal cord). The nervous system plays a very important role in penile erection. The nervous system is involved in the creation of an erection and process of ejaculation itself. The first part of the penile erection is controlled by the brain and is referred to as a psychogenic erection and occurs in any sort of mental or erotic stimulation. Sexual difficulties may arise from damage to the nervous system (such as multiple sclerosis).Conditions like multiple sclerosis lead to deterioration in erectile function (in either a stepwise or gradual manner. Initially it is a direct result of demyelination of the nerve and may also be the result of indirect effects as the condition deteriorates.

Ejaculatory dysfunction among disabled people is most common in men with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, and transverse myelitis. Ejaculation involves closure of the bladder neck (through sympathetic nerve stimulation) and relaxation of the external sphincter in the penis. Patients with nerve often experience retrograde ejaculation into the bladder because of sympathetic damage, and various procedures have been used to induce an ejaculate. Some patients with nerve damage can be helped by electroejaculation. This involves the insertion of a stimulatory probe into the rectum to stimulate the midsacral roots directly, but it requires hospital attendance because of the complexity of the procedure and the potential side effects of pain and autonomic dysreflexia.

There may also be problems with other organ systems in individuals suffering from multiple sclerosis as well, like fatigue, anxiety, depression, and, indeed, altered desire of the patient's partner. Disability services and general practitioners can address the sexual needs of not only the patients but also their partners at times of need.

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All information published on this web site is for information purposes only. The content of this web site should not be used for a conclusive diagnosis or for choosing a treatment. The content on this site has been provided as a guideline and general information it is not intended to replace professional medical care. In all serious cases it is advisable to recieve attention from a qualified medical practitioner.